Living The Dream

GEORGE & LINDA MEYERS

COOK. EAT. PLAY. TRAVEL.

LIVING THE DREAM

How many people do you know who say, “I wish I could give it all up and go live in Tuscany?” More importantly, how many of those people actually DO IT? George and Linda Meyers are two fifty-somethings from the Washington, DC area who decided they were tired of the rat race and wanted to embark on an adventure — what one might call an interesting combination of “Eat. Pray. Love.” meets “Under The Tuscan Sun.” High school sweethearts from New Orleans, George and Linda lived like most people, working hard in their respective careers and raising a family — all while moving over 12 times in 20 years. George spent 20 years as a US Air Force pilot, retiring as a Colonel, and then started his own business in Washington DC. Linda was an elementary school teacher, tirelessly inspiring young minds for more than 26 years. And then one day, they took a good look at their lifestyle — which involved 18-hour workdays where they saw each other only in the early morning or late at night — and wondered if there was a better way to spend their time. They realized their kids were grown with children of their own, it was just them and their Dachshund, Talula, and they decided there was no better time to take a leap of faith and go spend a year in Tuscany cooking. “Experiences over things” became their new motto. George asked Linda, “What’s the worst that could happen?” and Linda replied, “We lose the house…and I’m not that attached to it anyway!” And so, the story began and off they ventured. It all started with entertaining family and friends in Tuscany. Before long, they realized they were entertaining “friends of friends” in Tuscany — and they were really enjoying it. Then they started opening the classes and visits to everyone — and thus Cook in Tuscany was born! Cook in Tuscany is in Montefollonico, Tuscany — a small hilltop village of just under 450 people.

Their guests had so much fun (and wanted to enjoy the experience in other locations), and Linda and George had other great destinations they wanted to share, so they launched Cook In Mexico and Cook In Cuba as well. Today, they offer 6-day cooking classes to more than 350 people annually in Tuscany and Mexico (they have had to put a hold on their Cuba classes due to damage by Hurricane Irma). They have also organically acquired an incredible following of fans who want to travel in their footsteps and enthusiastically follow George and Linda on social media and their blog CookEatPlayTravel.com to stay up-to-date with the couple’s globetrotting adventures which could range from zip lining in Switzerland, walking the Great Wall in China, or tailgating from their motor home while visiting their kids and grandkids. Their one-year plan to go travel and cook in Tuscany has unexpectedly turned into a thriving business, which combines their four passions: cooking, eating, playing, and traveling. If this isn’t “Living the Dream,” we don’t know what is, and their zest for life and enthusiasm for going after what you truly want to do in life is inspiring for all who meet them. Media Contact: Jane Coloccia JC Communications, LLC 310-456-4631 Jane@JCCommunicationsllc.com January 2018

FAST FACTS: THE COOKING SCHOOLS

George and Linda Meyers have three cooking schools: Cook in Tuscany, Cook in Mexico, and Cook in Cuba, which are designed for those who want to cook, eat, play, and travel!

COOK IN TUSCANY - https://cookintuscany.com/: Cook in Tuscany was founded in 2010. George and Linda invite participants to join them in the medieval hilltop village of Montefollonico for a week of cooking and eating delicious meals. The couple has found women in the village who practice their art as masters of traditional rustic Italian cooking. Guests quickly become enamored with their skills and laughter in the kitchen and these teachers use the same recipes their grandmothers, or “Nonnas” as they say in Italy, used. This is a unique experience because nothing has changed for generations and participants will “roll pasta” every day while cooking a five-course meal. Some dishes include: pasta fresca, pici, crosata, Tuscan bread, pecorino cheese, and, of course, lots of Tuscan wine! The goal is to learn to cook the way women in Tuscany have cooked for hundreds of years.

The itinerary runs from Sunday to Saturday. Guests arrive on Sunday late afternoon and will depart Saturday morning. Classes range in size from 10 to 16 people. Participants stay at the Hotel La Costa or the Meyers’ villa in Montefollonico. The itinerary often looks like this: Sunday: Arrival – Check in at La Costa in Montefollonico. 6:00 pm Aperitivo on the terrace of LaCosta. Dinner following aperitivo. Monday: Cooking class and lunch in the heart of Cortona with Antonietta. Visit Le Celle, Franciscan Monastery – built by Saint Francis in 1211 and still inhabited by Franciscan friars. Dinner in Montefolloncio. Tuesday: Cooking class with Elena. Visit three UNESCO World Heritage sites. Shopping in Pienza, followed by dinner. Wednesday: Cooking class and lunch at La Costa. Wine tasting and vineyard tour in the valley underneath Montepulciano. Visit to Montepulciano for shopping, an underground tour, and dinner. Thursday: Cheese and bread making class at a local farm. Tasting lunch while enjoying the amazing view of Pienza and Montecchiello. Truffle hunting in the afternoon. Pizza night in Montefollonico. Friday: Cooking ravioli in Montefollonico. Lunch with a fantastic view and incredible wine. Wine tasting and cellar tour with a fifth-generation winemaker. Farewell dinner at La Costa in Montefollonico

Saturday: Leisure departure in the morning.

The cost for the program for 2018 is $3,850 per person for the 7-day/6-night all-inclusive program, based on double occupancy. There is an extra fee of $300 for a single room. Cost includes 6 nights at Hotel La Costa or the Meyers’ Villa in Montefollonico, hands-on cooking classes, all meals, wine and receptions, excursions, tours, bus tours, and all gratuities. As long as participants are with the group, they pay for “nothing” – except for souvenirs. Airfare and airport transfers are not included. Classes run May through June and September through early October

COOK IN MEXICO - https://www.cookinmexico.kitchen/home: Cook in Mexico began in 2016 after many of the Cook In Italy participants wanted to learn to cook in another destination. Cook In Mexico provides the opportunity to visit San Miguel de Allende (Mexico’s central highlands) and discover the region’s passion for food and fun. Cook In Mexico offers an opportunity for those who love food and travel to experience San Miguel and learn the traditional methods of Mexican cooking, walk the cobblestoned lanes through the hilly city center, shop at the markets, cook with the local men and women, listen as the church bells ring, wander the art galleries, and discover the true Mexico. Participants will learn to cook cilantro soup, fresh tortillas with mole, tres leches cake, rellenos, and much more the traditional Mexican way. Cook In Mexico was named the winner of the 2017 Magellan Gold Award for Best in Mexico for Destinations – Culture and Arts by Travel Weekly Magazine.

The itinerary runs from Sunday to Saturday. Guests arrive on Sunday late afternoon and will depart Saturday morning. Classes range in size from 10 to 16 people. Participants stay at the Casa Novern in San Miguel de Allende. The itinerary often looks like this: Sunday: Arrival – Check-in at Casa Novern in San Miguel. 5:30 p.m. drinks and “Let’s Meet” by the pool. Dinner at The Restaurant. Monday: 10:30 a.m. departure for the market tour and cooking class with Paco followed by 7:30 p.m. dinner. Tuesday: Morning ruins tour followed by afternoon Mexican Fusion cooking class. Wednesday: Cooking class, lunch and tour of Mexico’s Sistine chapel followed by drinks at the pool and dinner. Thursday: Food tour followed by an evening fiesta. Friday: Lunch followed by an afternoon tour at Canada de la Virgen and farewell dinner. Saturday: Leisure departure in the morning.

The cost for the program for 2018 is $2,950 per person for the 7-day/6-night all-inclusive program, based on double occupancy. There is an extra fee of $400 for a single room. Cost includes 6 nights at Casa Novern, hands-on cooking classes, three meals each day, wine, beer, receptions, excursions, tours, and all gratuities. As long as participants are with the group, they pay for “nothing” – except for souvenirs! Airfare and airport transfers are not included. Classes run mid-February to mid-March.

COOK IN CUBA - https://www.cookincuba.kitchen/home: Cook in Cuba was founded in 2017, as a third destination alternative for participants who had previously enjoyed Cook in Tuscany and Cook In Mexico. Cook In Cuba gives those with a passion for food and travel, the opportunity to learn the traditional methods of Cuban cooking, walk the streets of Old Havana, visit homes and markets, cook with local men and women, listen to natives discuss culture and Cuba's rich history, wander the four plazas, walk the Malecon, and discover the Cuban magic! Cuba is a mix of young and old, classic and modern. The hands-on, all-inclusive culinary excursion will include cooking lessons from local men and women on tropical desserts, seafood, and local favorites, accommodations in

a local house only steps from Habana Vieja, a visit to a tobacco plantation, and meetings with the locals to learn the history of Cuba while touring local and historic sites, and more! The itinerary runs from Sunday to Saturday. Guests arrive on Sunday late afternoon and will depart Saturday morning. Classes range in size from 10 to 16 people. Participants stay at Casa Vitrales in Havana. The itinerary often looks like this: Sunday: Arrival – Check in at Casa Vitrales in Havana with an evening “Let’s Meet” on the rooftop followed by dinner. Monday: Visit to the local markets, a cooking class with “what’s available,” followed by dinner. Tuesday: A morning cooking class followed by a departure for a Cigar Factory Tour and a local home tour. Wednesday: Cooking class and lunch followed by a visit to Hersheytown and a Mojito tasting. Thursday: Rum Factory visit followed by lunch at a local tobacco plantation and a rooftop discussion on Cuba Friday: Tour of Havana in classic 1950s cars followed by a historic poster tour at the National Library and a farewell dinner. Saturday: Leisure departure in the morning.

The cost for the program for 2018 is $3,950 per person for the 7-day/6-night all-inclusive program, based on double occupancy. There is an extra fee of $400 for a single room. Cost includes 6 nights at Casa Vitrales, hands-on cooking classes, all meals, wine and receptions, excursions, tours, bus tours, and all gratuities. As long as participants are with the group, they pay for “nothing” – except for souvenirs! Airfare and airport transfers are not included. Classes are available in April (2018), January (2019), and January and February (2020).

Note: At the current time, Cook In Cuba classes have been suspended due to the damage from the hurricane in the fall of 2017.

The cooking school programs are commissionable to travel agents.

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Media Contact: Jane Coloccia JC Communications, LLC 310-456-4631 Jane@JCCommunicationsllc.com January 2018